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When seasons change, so do our clothing. We move all of our summer dresses, shorts, and t-shirts to the back of our closets and dressers, and move our heavier coats and pants to the front. We go through a mental checklist of what we need to wear this season and make sure it’s accessible and ready to use. This concept, of seasonal clothing, can be transferred to preparing your heating system and your home’s exterior for cold weather as well.
Here is your home winter-proofing guide!
Weatherproofing Your Home
Clean Your Gutters
You want to make sure your gutters are always clear and clean. When gutters are full, they can’t carry water away from your home, and you will end up with foundational flooding.
Seal Leaks
When you have cracks around your doors or windows, heat is leaking out of your home. This will cause you to constantly use your heating system, as your indoor temperature will not be maintained. Make sure you seal all of these cracks. Have a professional install caulking around your windows and weatherstripping around your doors to seal your leaks.
Check Your Smoke & Carbon Monoxide Detectors
The most home fires happen during the winter. From fireplace fires to space heaters, furnaces to candles, this isn’t a shocking fact. Make sure your home heating system is properly vented and installed with HVAC inspection, as this is the most common source of carbon monoxide leaks in your home.
Trim Your Trees
When a cold front comes into your neighborhood, you don’t want the leaves and debris from trees on your property to hit your home. Always keep your trees trimmed! Additionally, make sure there aren’t any tree branches protruding on or above your home. The last thing you want is a big hole in your roof from a fallen branch.
Heating System Checklist
Test Run
You always want to check to see if your heating system is working before you need it, that way when you do need it, it’s ready to kick into high gear. To see if your system is working, turn your thermostat to 80 degrees Fahrenheit. You should immediately hear it turn on, and a few seconds later you should feel warm air coming out of your vents. If your heating system does not turn on, makes persistent strange noises, or emits foul odors, contact a professional HVAC technician—your system needs repair.
Replace Air Filter
Your home’s indoor air quality is extremely important. When it is compromised, you are breathing in dander, dust, and other particles that can jeopardize your health. Make sure your air filter in your heating system has been changed in the last 90 days. If it has not been changed, you need to replace your air filter before you use your heating system.
Check Fuel Supply
If your furnace runs on propane or fuel, you want to make sure that the fuel tank is full and ready to go.
Clean Air Vents
Make sure your air vents are unobstructed. When you have plants or items placed in front of your vents, they can’t adequality deliver air to your home.
Check for Leaking Carbon Monoxide
If you have a fuel-burning furnace, make sure you have carbon monoxide detectors in your home. Additionally, make sure the exhaust system of your furnace is functioning correctly with professional HVAC inspection.
Check Ventilation
It is imperative that your heating system has the proper ventilation, as clogged vents or pipes can lead to gas leaks. Contact Hedrick’s Service Now for your heating system check-up.
For all of your home heating services, installations, and repairs contact Hedrick’s Service Now at (214) 509-6029. Our trained HVAC technicians will make sure your heater is winter-ready.